What is the least expensive, RIGHT way to move a piano?

[5KidzRUs]

I need to move a piano 40 miles. I have a 15 seater van with a trailer hitch.

Is there a way to move it that won't cost me lots of money?

Thanks in advance!

5KidzRUs

[kaylk in tx]

seriously, when we moved a piano from my mil's house to ours, we paid professionals to do it. pianos are very heavy (this was a baby grand so weighed more than an upright) and if you drop them, very bad expensive things can happen to them. we had it moved about 40 miles and it was under $200.
hth
kay:o

[Excelsior! Academy]

We moved ours in our van. Granted it is a spinett, so a little smaller than most. We had to lay ours on its back which is a big no-no, but okay for short periods of time. You NEED a piano dolly and probably 4-6 strong men to move it. I would also suggest a piece of wood to lay over any steps if you have any up to your porch. Rent a U-Haul if you need to.

Don't forget to avoid outside walls when you actually find a place for it in your house. It is not as important now that we tend to have better insulation in our houses than in the past, but a consideration. Don't under any circumstances place it over or near a floor vent. Unless, of course, you would like to rework the whole thing in a few years!:D

[sdWTMer]

I would use the piano movers like Kay suggested.

[Sunny]

If it is a small upright piano, you shouldn't have any trouble with your van. When I gave my piano to the church, the one that came out was our Music director. He teaches at CSUF (a local university). He is REALLY picky about his pianos.
He said that as long as it is an upright and can be lifted by some strong men, and there are plenty of ties to tie the piano down to the (in)side of the truck so that it doesn't shift or move around, it is fine. Grand Pianos are a different story.

[Karin]

I'd compare the cost of a piano mover with the cost of replacing/repairing your piano should you damage/destroy it. I cannot recommend doing it yourself, but if you can't afford it, I'd do a lot of research first. Unless it's a very tiny piano it's going to be very, very heavy. Even a tiny one isn't exactly light.

[Mamagistra]

NOT with these guys!

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p111/modmommie/musicbox.jpg

:D